Police: Dog dies after being kicked by 14-year-old girl
Ypsilanti police are investigating an animal cruelty complaint made by a woman claiming her dog died after her 14-year-old granddaughter kicked it, according to police.
Police responded at 8:36 p.m. Sunday to the 1000 block of South Grove Street after being dispatched on the complaint. Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts said the owner of the dog reported her granddaughter kicked the animal, resulting in its death.
Eberts said he didn’t know how old the dog was, but police referred to it as a puppy in a summary released Monday. Details of the incident were not immediately available Monday morning as the report was still not finished, Eberts said.
The investigation is still open and Eberts said he wasn’t sure if charges would be pressed against the 14-year-old girl. Police are still talking with the family about the incident.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 3:23 p.m.
I've made contact with Detective Sgt. Eberts for more information on this story. He's going to get back to me when he can, the officer who is investigating is away for training this week.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 3:52 a.m.
can you verify s.grove or just grove? ie within the city or wcsd and your geography.
Alex Brown
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
According to Michigans State University college of law website there are 3 issues here. If this girl is not charged she won't get the help she needs. Please demand that she be charged as is required by law. M.C.L.A. 750.52: It is the duty of the officials involved in animal cruelty investigations to arrest and prosecute those committing the offenses. M.C.L.A. 750.50b: automatic felony punishable by a prison term of up to four years for knowingly killing, torturing, mutilating, maiming, poisoning any animal "without just cause." M.C.L.A. 712a.18l(public act 175 of 2000): the court shall order that an adjudicated juvenile be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or psychological treatment. Please contact the Washtenaw county Prosecutor, Brian L Mackie, # 734-222-6620, email-prosecutormackie@ewashtenaw.org
jns131
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
She will get the time if the grandmother presses charges and demands it. The prosecutor will press it if the grandmother changes her mind. Trust you me, the girl will get time.
Judy
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
I too would like more information and an up-date on the location.
belboz
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 8:22 a.m.
Way to make a definitive headline out of a completely undefined situation.
ArthGuinness
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 3:42 a.m.
First, no we don't have complete information, but my opinion is that you'd have to kick pretty hard to kill it. Even if a puppy was "attacking" (probably playfully), a 14-year-old would easily be able to deflect or scooch it away. And just the fact that gramma called the cops ... the information presented here leads me to believe the girl did this on purpose. Second, kids who abuse animals have often been abused themselves. Someone ought to look into this. No it wouldn't absolve the girl but it could lead to more appropriate corrective action. Sad story, in any case.
mpope
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 4:47 a.m.
IF there was malice on the girl's part, your suggestion would be the only responsible action. IF.
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 1:50 a.m.
What would people say if they learned that dog was a hybrid pit bull, blinded in one eye, that outweighed the poor girl by some 40 pounds or more? While you stand down at home, a half-insane hungry animal of frightening size patrolling the homestead perimeter can offer a false, yet comforting peace of mind.
ThinkingOne
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 4:21 p.m.
In all seriousness, the average 14 year old girl weighs between 105 and 115 pounds. I am pretty sure that, if the dog had outweighed the girl by 40 pounds, that would have been mentioned in the story. It also would have likely been mentioned in the description on the police report, rather than just 'puppy'.
ThinkingOne
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 3:49 p.m.
I think they would have said: OMG that PUPPY outweighed a 14 year old by 40 pounds! How big was its mother?
mpope
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 4:44 a.m.
people around these posts would say, " one eye? what evil had already befallen that poor dog?"
Messa
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 1:17 a.m.
Kicking a puppy? Not sure if someone can get lower than that. That is one angry little girl and I hope she gets the help she needs. On the other hand, if you'd kick a puppy, you're probably past saving at that point anyway.
mpope
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 4:42 a.m.
"... if you'd kick a puppy, you're probably past saving at that point anyway." a fourteen year old girl past saving.....? i pray that whoever is responsible for helping this kid has a whole lot more hope and faith in the human spirit and resiliency than messa. (that is, if the kid really needs help at all, except for recovering from the crushing knee-jerk judgment of her neighbors and fellow townspeople.)
Basic Bob
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 1:28 a.m.
It makes you wonder what other kinds of trauma have been going on in the house that gramma didn't report to the police.
brian
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.
Should have guessed, South Grove again.
talker
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
I feel so bad for that poor dog. That 14 year old "child" needs extensive psychologically therapy urgently. Cruelty to animals can be a sign for future cruelty to people. Hopefully, the grandmother's report will lead to the girl getting help before she hurts any animal again or any person in a way that gets her imprisoned. If she is found guilty of cruelty to an animal at her age, she would be put in custody that might prevent her from doing worse and she couldn't be held beyond age 21. How could she kick a dog to death? Wasn't the dog whimpering after just one kick. The killer of the dog must have ignored whimpering, etc.. I feel like crying for the dog. Did anyone witness the girl's attack and try to stop the girl?
mpope
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 4:32 a.m.
"Did anyone witness the girl's attack .....?" Right up till this closing question, I had thought YOU witnessed the attack.
jcj
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
The killer of the dog must have ignored whimpering, etc.. You can Really ! read between the lines.
Fresh Start
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:42 p.m.
Pfffffft. This is a terrible article and is hardly worth the space or time taken to write it or read it, let alone giving comment to it.
jns131
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 3:06 a.m.
Negative votes? After a comment like that? Yup, you got one from me too.
a2citizen
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
Through persistence you were able to accomplish two of the tasks.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:40 p.m.
your map is pointing to grove road. NOT south grove. south grove is in the city, which would involve ypd and sgt. eberts. your map is pointing to a location in ypsilanti township.
vintagetimes4me
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
The girl needs help --- SMART MOVE on the Grandmother to get that STARTED --- the dogs is dead, but she might of just saved this childs life. Bravo!
TryingToBeObjective
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.
Get that girl some counseling with Anicare- fast!
eagleman
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
You tried to be objective, but you completely failed. We don't have all the facts, yet you feel confident enough to issue a verdict. That is the complete opposite of objectivity.
Resident A2
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.
How in the world, old and young, could anyone kick a puppy or for that matter, any living animal. There is no circumstance that would warrant this type of behavior. I only pray that this child gets some psychological testing.
jns131
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 3:05 a.m.
I am glad the grandmother called in the granddaughter. I hope the girl does some jail time and works in the Humane Society to see what animal cruelty really is like. Maybe even send that girl out on a puppy mill animal abuse case. Better yet? Animal hording. Trust you me, mine would be working to see what people really do to an animal. If you want your fill? ASPCA just put up a 32 page website of all of their animal puppy mill raids and what the dogs look like before and after. Sad reality.
dtones520
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.
Most people think their dog is the best thing ever and can't imagine it doing anything wrong. Then their dog gets too aggressive with someone or bites someone and the person being attacked by the dog exacts and the owner blames the person not the *helpless* animal. My point is, we don't know the facts and the dog could very well have been getting too aggressive with the girl and the 14 year old takes the blame because granny doesn't believe her.
jcj
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 10:47 p.m.
Resident Not saying this is what happened here. But IF a dog,person,bear,cat,goose (all living beings) is attacking kicking would certainly be warranted!
Steve Burling
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 9:29 p.m.
We don't know the circumstances, so you can't make that claim. Ever been attacked by a dog? Since we don't know what happened, it's way to soon to be tossing around conclusions.
Resident A2
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
P.S. Good for that grandmother to call the police, even though I'm sure it was uncomfortable.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
Charges of kicking a puppy and one of masturbating during a James Bond movie in the news --- I guess that means that Summer Craziness is officially underway. What about, "Never do this!," don't some (thankfully rare) people understand??
jcj
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
Incomplete information warrants an incomplete respon..
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7:49 p.m.
nicely played
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.
Gramma turned in the kid? Ouch. Lots of awkward moments coming up, I predict.
djm12652
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.
Oh I don't know eyeheart....chances are this 14 yr old may well be on a life path that will include incarceration so family gatherings without that young lady [?].....will be less awkward.
A2isNuts
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
@cinnabar, would those be dog treats you are talking about.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
dading you think the girl will get an invite after killing Grandma's dog? If she does she better not eat any treats grandma cooked for her.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 11:28 p.m.
yes, Christmas is going to be an ackward event this year.
drewk
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 9:53 p.m.
Hey pest.... do you know for certain that the dog didn't attack the girl? You may have passed judgement prematurely.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 7 p.m.
Without knowing the history, it is hard to say what I would or would not have done. Calling the cops on your kid or grandkid is one of those "career limiting" actions. It may be tough love or whatever, but it is hard to go back from that.
pest
Mon, Jun 17, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
I would have too. The kid did something that was very cruel and wrong. 14 is WAY old enough to know to not abuse and mistreat animals. And in this case, she ended up killing the poor dog/puppy. What will she be capable of harming or killing in five years from now?